Abstract: Method of preventing parturient hypocalcemia and milk fever (parturient paresis) in lactating animals comprising administering to the animal during the dry period a compound which reduces absorption of calcium from the drinking water and/or from the ration of said animal. The method is based on the powerful, natural calcium regulating mechanisms and is applicable under commercial farming conditions.

Abstract: A method for in vitro selection, from a library of catalyst molecules, of a catalyst molecule of interest having a relatively more efficient specific catalytic activity of interest, as compared to the rest of the catalyst molecules within said library, and wherein said in vitro selection method is characterized by that it allows multiple catalytic activity turn-overs (i.e. substrate to product catalytic activity turn-overs), by the catalyst molecule of interest, before it is finally collected. The method is based on using one or more reagent(s) which are capable of converting a product generated by a catalyst molecule of interest back into the substrate for said catalyst of interest.

Abstract: Growth homone-regulatable liver genes and proteins are described. These may be used as diagnostic markers of liver pathology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing and/or isolating MBL compositions. In particular the invention relates to methods of producing and/or isolating novel recombinant human MBL preparations with high similarity to natural human MBL. The MBL preparations may be used in compositions, medicaments and in methods for treatment of conditions such as those related to immunosuppressive conditions and/or to conditions of MBL deficiencies including latent conditions. Conditions of deficiencies of Mannan-Binding Lectin (MBL) are associated with increased susceptibility to infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit and an assay method for rapidly and directly detecting a predetermined respiratory syncytial virus-related biological cell in a sample, even when present in an amount of less than about 2000 cells per microliter. In a preferred embodiment, a labeled antibody targets a nucleoprotein or a glycoprotein of RS virus. One may further detect an inflammatory indicator in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA molecules which encode antagonists of vertebrate growth hormones obtained by mutation of at least the amino acid corresponding to Glu-119 in bovine growth hormone. The DNA molecules may be used to express the antagonists, either in cell culture, or in the cells of the patient of interest. The antagonist so expressed may be used to inhibit GH activity in a subject.

Abstract: A self-contained analyzer quantitatively detects a clotting event in a biological fluid. The device includes a base having an open reservoir for receiving the biological fluid. A carrier for a dried activator reagent is located in or adjacent to the open reservoir. The biological fluid reconstitutes the dried reagent and starts the clotting process. During the clotting process the fluid travels through a capillary flow channel lined with a precision woven fabric. When clotting is completed, the woven fabric stops the flow of the fluid. A colored bar formed by the fluid flowing through the capillary channel indicates the length of time required for clotting of the sample.

Abstract: There is provided a suppository comprising at least one biocompatible polymer, wherein the biocompatible polymer is essentially non-biodegradable, and wherein the suppository essentially does not swell when contacted with an aqueous fluid. The suppository may further comprise a plurality of open cells at least partly separated from one another by an interpenetrating matrix comprising at least one biocompatible polymer in branched or crosslinked form. The plurality of interlinked, open cells are capable of containing an aqueous fluid, and the permeability of the suppository ensures that entry of body fluids into the open cells under practical circumstances occurs essentially without dehydration of mucousal membrane tissue contacting the suppository. The suppository furthermore preferably comprises a controlled release formulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for pharmacological treatment of accidental extravasation of topoisomerase II poisons, such as anthracyclines. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a topo II catalytic inhibitor, such as the bisdioxopiperazine ICRF-187, for the treatment of an accidental extravasation of a topoisomerase II poison. A method for treatment of such extravasation of a topoisomerase poison such as the anthracyclines, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, epirubicin, or idarubicin is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acid fragments encoding polypeptides which are capable of mediating contact between enamel and cell surface. The invention also relates to expression vectors containing the nucleic acid fragments according to the invention for production of the protein, organisms containing said expression vector, methods for producing the polypeptide, compositions comprising the polypeptides, antibodies or antibody fragments recognizing the polypeptides, and methods for treating various hard tissue diseases or disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identification of substances which are applicable for treatment or prevention of an insufficient longitudinal growth of the eye (hypermetropia) or for treatment or prevention of an excessive longitudinal growth of the eye (myopia); substances identified by the method for treating or preventing conditions related to the longitudinal growth of the eye; substances and mixtures of substances for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of abnormal growth of the axial length of the eye. The identification involves measuring the effect of the substances on the retinal pigment epithelium of the eye, e.g.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively measuring white blood cell count involves capture of white blood cells from a fluid sample by a retainer, removal of the red blood cells and other interfering substances by a wash solution, and reading the result of a color reaction in which an ester which is present on the white blood cells cleaves a chromogenic substrate which produces a water insoluble dye. The apparatus for use in the present method includes a retainer for white blood cells that has a dye substrate immobilized therein and an absorption layer that wicks and takes up all excess washing solution flowing past the sample.

Abstract: The invention facilitates a determination of the rate at which soil organic nitrogen is converted to inorganic nitrogen or mineral nitrogen. This conversion is known as N-mineralization. The total release of plant available nitrogen in a soil, i.e., the gross N-mineralization rate quantifies the conversion in the soil of organic nitrogen to inorganic nitrogen. The present invention provides a quick and reliable method for measuring the gross N-mineralization rate of a soil sample. The method exploits that a microbial enzyme activity of a functional ornithine acid cycle present in said sample is correlatale with the rate or gross N-mineralization of that same sample. The method of the invention can be used e.g. in a determination of the amount of a nitrogen-containing fertilizer to be applied to a soil such as e.g. a field of agricultural crops.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the growth rate and/or controlling the metabolic activity of lactic acid bacteria and of improving the shelf life and/or the quality of an edible product using lactic acid bacterial organisms which are defective in their pyruvate metabolism. There is also provided starter culture compositions comprising such defective lactic acid bacteria as helper organisms and lactic acid bacterial starter culture strains. Useful helper organisms are Lactococcus strains which are defective with respect to pyruvate formate lyase (Pfl) and/or lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh) activity. The helper organisms may overexpress a gene coding for an NAD+ regenerating enzyme such as NADH oxidase encoded by nox gene.

Abstract: The instant disclosure identifies and synthesizes peptide residues initially isolated from a melanoma cell line. The peptides are capable of reconstituting an epitope recognized by tumor specific CTL. Some of the sequences are homologous with proteins identified as pMEL17, tyrosinase and cofilin. The present invention provides for the treatment of melanoma patients using synthetic peptides that reconstitute epitopes for melanoma specific CTL. In another embodiment the peptides are used as vaccines for imparting immunity. Alternatively, in one embodiment the peptides may be used to bind to antigen presenting cells in a method for providing specific antigenic stimulation of CTL. The instant invention provides CTL cell lines capable of recognizing reconstituted HLA-A2.1 epitopes and their use in methods of adoptive immunotherapy.

Abstract: NMDA receptor antagonists, especially mirtazapine, can be used to treat tension-type headaches.

Abstract: Mutants of lactic acid bacteria including Lactococcus lactis which are defective in pyruvate formate-lyase production and/or in their lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh) production and methods of isolating such mutants or variants are provided. The mutants are useful in the production of food products or in the manufacturing of compounds such as diacetyl, acetoin and acetaldehyde and as components of food starter cultures. In particular, Lactococcus lactis DN223 deposited under the accession No. DSM 11036.

Abstract: A method of immunization, and compositions therefor, are provided for substantially preventing or reducing the symptoms of at least one infectious disease and at least one chronic immune mediated disorder. An immunogenic challenge which supplements the normal childhood immunization schedule can help ensure the proper maturation of the immune system and prevent the development of chronic immune mediated disorders, such as immune-mediated diabetes or SLE.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of compounds in a compound library which can mediate the biological activity of a target receptor protein, even when the ligands which mediate that activity through binding to that receptor are not already known. The method of the invention includes the following three steps: (1) Screen a first combinatorial library for members binding to the target protein (TP) and hence capable of use as surrogates for the unknown ligand in steps (2) and (3). (2) Screen a second library, for compounds which inhibit the binding of one or more surrogates from step (1) to TP, and, optionally. (3) Determine whether the inhibitory compound mediates the biological activity of the said TP. The first library is composed of peptides, peptoids and/or nucleic acids, and the second is not.

Abstract: The nonapeptide Ala-Tyr-Met-Thr-Met-Lys-Ile-Arg-Asn (SEQ ID NO:19) and certain related substances are useful as immunomodulators.